Biography
Gus is the founder of Gusto Law. He has served as general counsel for U.S. and Canada-based private equity portfolio companies, and formerly practiced in the areas of securities and mergers & acquisitions law at a top-ranked national firm. A former television producer and film studies graduate from Yale University, Gus is recognized by his clients for applying creative solutions to technical legal problems.
Gus had guided entrepreneurs and mid to large-cap companies in various stages of their life cycles, from initial formation and fundraising, navigating periods of growth and challenges, to negotiating divestitures and forming new business combinations. In his extensive in-house counsel roles, Gus has touched on all areas of corporate law. He has guided businesses in banking, tax, finance, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, privacy, and employment matters, among other topics.
Gus is known for delivering excellent legal services efficiently and within budget, directing work internally and externally to provide clients with the most timely and cost-effective results. His years working extensively with Calgary-area lawyers specializing in niche practice areas, as well as with lawyers in other major markets including Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston, allow Gus to carefully, and judiciously, access a broad network of subject-matter experts, when, and if, his clients require specialist support. When engaged, Gus is able to carefully manage these experts’ time, using them as ad hoc resources rather than as work-horses.
Areas of Practice
Education
JD University of Calgary, 2010
BA Yale University, 2001
Experience
Gus also has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements for a variety of industries, including the energy, cannabis, technology, e-commerce and blockchain sectors. In burgeoning new business areas, Gus has successfully written complex sets of agreements from scratch when there was no precedent, including the construction and supply arrangements for North America’s first LNG bunkering terminal. Gus has an excellent reputation for building relationships with customers, vendors and stakeholders, working collaboratively and efficiently in resolving disagreements and reaching consensus.
Gus would be thrilled to learn more about your business and your company’s needs.
Industries Served
- Oil & Gas
- Industrial Gases
- Transportation
- Cannabis
- Private Equity
- Pension Funds
- Venture Capital
- E-commerce
- Technology
- Commercial Real Estate
What People Say
Client Reviews
Friendly and Helpful
I have been a client of Gus Lu for 3 years for both personal and business matters. He has been involved with share purchase agreements that required negotiating with the seller, doing the paperwork, and ensuring that things were kept on track with any necessary reminders — to both parties as I have been known to procrastinate. His polite insistence on getting what I needed to be ensured that the other parties knew that we meant business — while maintaining good relationships. I really appreciate the patience he shows when I want to understand every bit of legalese — I can count on him to clearly explain matters. Mr. Lu’s lawyerly skill at stating things in a tactful and concise manner has helped me out in many of my business communications and documents. I very much appreciate how Gus would always deal with my requests in a prompt and friendly manner. He truly made me feel cared for and supported in any dealings with him.
A. Walker
October 2021
Fast and Effective
When you need something done, Gus will get it done right and quickly.
B. Ross
September 2021